One last look at the greatest Eagles defensive series in franchise history

USA Today

30-07-2025

The Eagles have enjoyed some great defensive moments over the years, but nothing tops what we witnessed in Super Bowl 59.
Take this from someone who has watched several decades of Philadelphia Eagles football. These are the thoughts of someone who watched Buddy Ryan's teams and saw so many great defensive performances. These are the thoughts of someone who watched Reggie White, Bud Carson, Jimmy Johnson, and this past football season.
Based on the opponent, stage, and situation, the following statement can be made with confidence. There has never been a more impressive defensive series in this great franchise's history than the one we witnessed during the Kansas City Chiefs' fourth offensive drive in Super Bowl 59.
Nothing compares. Several decades of history were relived before saying that. Yes, the Body Bag Game was considered. So was that 11-sack game vs. Troy Aikman and the Dallas Cowboys in 1991.
An honorable mention is for the House of Pain Game vs. the Houston Oilers (also in 1991). It's also necessary to mention that time Philadelphia stopped Emmett Smith on fourth down not once, but twice.
There was the 'The Greatest Goal-Line Stand Ever'. Philadelphia stopped the Arizona Cardinals seven times inside the one-yard line or closer, but that wasn't a game played in the Super Bowl. None of those aforementioned moments came vs. a favored two-time defending champion in search of an unprecedented 'three-peat'.
It's for that reason that one defensive series on football's biggest stage stands alone and is head and shoulders above all others. With 8:38 remaining in the second quarter of SB LIX, Patrick Mahomes and his offensive teammates took the field hoping to chip away at a 10-0 Eagles lead. What came next was two sacks and a Cooper DeJean interception returned for six points by the then-rookie on his birthday.
That expanded the lead to 16 points. Jake Elliott's extra point would put Philadelphia up on the scoreboard by a 17-0 margin. A.J. Brown hauled one in on a crossing route before halftime. 'The dagger', Jalen Hurts' bomb to DeVonta Smith, would rain down in the third quarter, but K.C.'s fourth offensive drive sealed this game. That drive is where the Birds imposed their will and broke that of the Chiefs.
There was still much of the second quarter remaining and an entire half to play, but the game was over. The Eagles won their second Super Bowl in the same manner they won their first, by vanquishing a dynasty. It begged a question. If this defense can be this good against this team on this stage, what might the future look like? The answer is simple. The future is blinding for Vic Fangio and company moving forward.
His core is young. Much of Philadelphia's defensive talent is still playing under their rookie contract. That means these guys will be around for a while. Can you imagine? Our jobs are easy. We need only watch them all grow up together.
Much of the cast from the 2024-25 team is gone, but there's a solid foundation moving forward. Sure, we've seen great defenses in the past and so many great games and moments, but here's a statement that can be made with confidence. The best Eagles football may be yet to come.